Are there cougars or mountain lions in New Jersey?

The official position of the state of New Jersey is “no,” but more and more residents are saying “yes.”

Mountain lion spotted in Monvtille, New Jersey

Over the past few years, we have published dozens of eyewitness reports of big cats in New Jersey. Most sightings have occurred in the northern part of the state, but there have also been reports from South Jersey.

The last person to report a sighting is “B” from Montville.

B says she saw a young cougar running through a grove of trees behind her property about six weeks ago.

She says the animal was neither young nor fully grown.

“I immediately went to my computer to see what animal it could have been other than a mountain lion,” says B. “I was convinced that was what I had seen! I called my local police and reported what I had seen. They told me it was a bobcat and we have a few of those in town. So I searched ‘bobcat’ and knew it was really a mountain lion.”

B says she has seen many animals in her garden over the years, including bears of all ages. “I love animals and it’s very special for me to have seen this wonderful cat.”

B says that when she was watching the animal, it never occurred to her to run for her phone and try to take a photo.

READ MORE: Eyewitness accounts of mountain lions in New Jersey

Encounter near a previous report of a mountain lion

B’s sighting occurred about 40 miles from another mountain lion sighting that occurred last June. This eyewitness also claims to have seen a mountain lion near a forest in Frankford Township. Read the story here.

We will continue to share stories from people in New Jersey who have seen these animals. If you have had an encounter, please email me: [email protected].